Mar.11 (GMM) Rubens Barrichello does not believe Bernie Ecclestone would have been disappointed to hear he has signed to contest a record seventeenth consecutive formula one season in 2009.

Ecclestone, F1's influential chief executive, offered to help rescue the Honda team earlier this year, but made his assistance conditional on Bruno Senna securing a seat.

"The silly thing is we have got Bruno wanting to drive," the 78-year-old Briton had said. "It would be fantastic for everybody to have the name Senna back in F1."

Honda, now renamed Brawn GP after a management buyout, ultimately turned down Ecclestone's offer, then opting for Barrichello's experience over the rookie Senna.

Barrichello, 36, is quoted as saying by Spain's El Mundo newspaper: "I have a good relationship with Bernie and do not believe he is sorry to see Rubens (with the team) and not Bruno."

Barrichello, a pallbearer at Ayrton Senna's funeral in 1994, is understood to have campaigned hard on his credentials behind the scenes this winter, despite his friendship with Bruno, the nephew of his late mentor and hero.

"Having the Senna name again would be very important for formula one, I agree, but I am happy that moment has not arrived yet," he smiled.